Former Liberal Adam Richard Brooks appears in the Devonport Magistrates Court ahead of hearing on August 9

The ex-Braddon Liberal MP was back in court again, this time on tax charges. However, one major hurdle needs to be addressed before the matter goes to hearing.

Tasmanian Liberal candidate Adam Brooks arrives at Redcliffe Magistrates court. PICTURE: Brad Fleet

A company owned by former Tasmanian politician Adam Richard Brooks will need to be re-registered ahead of a hearing related to dozens of tax charges.

Mr Brooks has pleaded not guilty to four counts bought by the Australian Taxation Office of failure to comply with a requirement under taxation law.

Through his lawyer, Anthony Mihal, he also pleaded not guilty to 26 counts of failing to furnish an approved form, which was levelled against Rapid Fleet Management, of which Mr Brooks was the sole operator.

High profile Tasmanian politician Adam Brooks arrives at Redcliffe Magistrates Court. NewsWire / Sarah Marshall.

This is not the first time that the former Liberal Party member for Braddon in the Tasmanian House of Assembly has been in court.

In 2021, before he had been sworn into parliament following his re-election, Mr Brooks resigned after it was revealed he had been charged with firearm and credit card offences in Queensland.

He pleaded guilty to charges in relation to unlawfully possessing licences and credit cards, as well as being a licensed holder who had an unregistered handgun in his possession.

Mr Brooks was fined $5000 but did not have a criminal conviction recorded.

During this time, allegations also emerged that he used a fake identity to trick women he met via dating apps.

Mr Brooks denied the claims and was not accused of any criminal wrongdoing.

Having first entered the House of Assembly in 2010, he resigned from his ministerial positions in 2016 after conflict of interest claims emerged between his mining portfolio and business interests.

He left parliament abruptly in 2019 following a critical report from the Integrity Commission into the use of his mining service company email before recontesting his former seat of Braddon in 2021.

Devonport Magistrates Court

On Tuesday in the Devonport Magistrates Court, Magistrate Duncan Fairley confirmed August 9 as the hearing date for the tax charges to be dealt with.

However, Mr Mihal told the court that his client, Mr Brooks, who appeared via telephone, had deregistered his company.

“An application was made some time ago to have the company re-registered,” Mr Mihal said.

“My friend [Mr Brooks] confirmed he had received correspondence from the tax office. Such applications are normally dealt with by ASIC within 28 days.”

Mr Mihal said he was confident that the company would be re-registered in time for the hearing on August 9.

Magistrate Fairley told Mr Brooks that “unless directed otherwise”, he would have to appear in person for the hearing.